SCR PR
Date: 4th April, 2014
SCR to Introduce a New Product – ‘Premium’ Superfast Special Trains for the First Time between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam
South Central Railway is launching a new product –
‘Premium’...
more... Superfast Special trains for the first time on its system this April. This fully reserved service is aimed to meet the heavy demand for Rail travel during holidays/busy season on popular routes. It is primarily targeted at that segment of passengers, who are willing to pay premium fare for confirmed berths at the time of booking itself and enhanced standards of service.
Keeping in view the likelihood of heavy rush of passengers as 3 continuous holidays fall on April, 18th, 19th and 20th, the first ‘Premium’ Superfast special (Train No.02204 ) is planned to be rolled out at 23:00 hours on 17th April from Secunderabad to reach Visakhapatnam at 08:50 hours on 18th April.
On return trip, this ‘Premium’ special (Train No.02203) will depart from Visakhapatnam at 21:10 hours on 20th April and will arrive at Secunderabad at 07:00 hours on 21st April.
These trains will have only two stoppages - at Rajahmundry and Samalkot Stations in both directions. The train consists of 14 coaches – 8 sleeper class, 3 AC-3 tier,1 AC-2 tier and 2 SLRs. Booking of Tickets for these trains open at 08:00 hrs of 6th April, 2014.
This ‘Premium’ service is designed to be one of the fastest trains on this popular route, linking Visakhapatnam to the State capital. It covers a distance of 701 kms in 09 hours 50 minutes only. It is the best (minimum) running time of all the available train services with stoppages on this sector. While compared to Garibrath Express, the travel time of ‘Premium’ special between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam is lesser by 1 hour 25 minutes, it is lesser by 2 hours 20 minutes compared to Godavari Superfast Express. It thus saves precious time for the travellers.
The Unique features of ‘Premium’ train service are:
1) No waitlisted tickets shall be issued. There will be no refund except when the train is fully cancelled o¬n railway account due to unforeseen circumstances. Adult fare shall be charged for all passengers irrespective of their age. No concession shall be applicable to this train. Ticket modifications/issue of duplicate ticket etc. are not permitted.
2) The booking of tickets can be done only through IRCTC’s portal on internet. Tickets will not be issued manually at reservation counters. However, vacant berths available after charting will be offered at current day booking counters at the train originating stations.
3) The fare structure for these trains is variable and follows a dynamic model. The basic fare of this train is fixed at the corresponding Tatkal fare of the regular Superfast trains. It is Rs.450 for sleeper class, Rs.1180 for 3 AC and Rs.1670 for 2AC for travel between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam. The fares will vary as per the intensity of demand/availability of vacant berths. The rate will rise to an upper limit fare as the bookings increase. The fares applicable for each day / transaction shall be indicated at the time of booking o¬n the IRCTC’s e-ticketing website.
SCR plans to expand the ‘Premium’ Superfast special train services from Secunderabad to other long distance destinations also in the coming weeks based on passenger response/demand.
